Testimonial

Flynn at birth, had 3-major haemorrhages within his head. An Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) on both sides plus a Subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by actual trauma during the birth process. His IVH  led to Flynn developing Hydrocephalus, where the cerebral spinal fluid is blocked from exiting the ventricles in the brain. This creates increased pressure within the brain. MRI's and CT Scan revealed enormous swelling in the brain. After 4-operations (which is not many by shunt standards...'touch wood'), Flynn now has a Shunt in place to drain away excess fluid in his ventricles. It is expected that the current Shunt will need to be in place until he reaches about 9-years old.

About midway through Flynn's stay in the NICU we were told that during an Ultrasound of Flynn's head they had spotted little areas around the ventricles. This is called Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). We were also told that this would possibly lead to motor development problems which is termed: Cerebral Palsy.

And so started a weekly Physiotherapy (PT) and Occupational therapy (OT) routine. It took 12-months to actually get the Cerebral Palsy diagnosis... Spastic Diplegia... the assessment team at that stage called it a "significant" delay in motor development, about 7-months behind.

After another 6-months of the same PT and OT and the suggestion of BOTOX injections (which I would like to avoid ), I started to look at alternatives. I kept quiet about this to many of my colleagues and Flynn's team of Drs and therapists because I knew how mainstream medicine feels about anything "alternate".... I myself felt this way as well...well that was before!!!

I was extremely frustrated, and although Flynn was progressing slowly he was still only crawling on his belly with a stiff left leg dragging behind him and a stiff left arm throwing him off balance whilst crawling and sitting, he was also getting frustrated.

He couldn't pull himself up into a sitting position or onto furniture and he couldn't get to where he wanted to be quick enough. I knew there had to be something to give Flynn even just a little boost, something that would treat his problem (brain injury) rather than just his symptoms. All I wanted was a holistic approach, something that still incorporated his PT but stimulated his brain as well. 

Whilst investigating the internet for information about Flynn's condition, I stumbled into a Hyperbaric site by accident. This site then linked me to more and more HBOT sites around the USA and UK.

It was through these various links that I stumbled onto Hyperbaric Medicine and the Spinal Rehabilitation Group in Melbourne. We are from New South Wales so to consider travelling to Melbourne for treatment, I wanted some definite information and answers. After a number of emails with Dr Hooper and more research (especially if there would be any effects on Flynn's Shunt), I decided to give Flynn the opportunity. His first booking was made for February this year (2001).  

We have now completed 22 HBOT sessions, Flynn is also taking an amino acids and vitamin preparation, practising a cross crawling technique and using his TENS machine on 'motor' points - all under the direction and supervision of Dr Hooper.

Flynn has been a model client, usually sleeping during his treatment and actually getting excited every morning as we entered the clinic.

"In In In," he would yell. By the end of this initial schedule of chamber sessions, Flynn was so eager, he was crawling around from the waiting area to get in the chamber! I would nurse him on my lap, inside the chamber and hold the oxygen mask over his face during each session.

We didn't expect any changes after this initial introduction to treatment with HBOT, but we got some anyway. I was under the impression right from the start that typically, at least 40-60 (sometimes more) chamber and therapy sessions would be required for any change to commence and be observed.

Flynn's changes were subtle. He was more relaxed whilst holding him and his left arm appeared to have relaxed as well. We can now do Flynn's stretches and cross crawling exercises much easier than before. As I said before, it doesn't mean that Flynn now has normal tone in his arm or legs, he is still  high toned but it has in fact - decreased.  

But by far the most promising progress for us is that Flynn has started to initiate bending his left leg whilst crawling. Only just started but this is increasing in frequency daily. But we are still employing the wait and see approach.. "Cautious Optimism."

We are booked in for another 20 sessions in another couple of months so stay tuned.'